Knitting machine



May 7, 1935- s. R. SHEL'MIREr 2,000,194

' KNITTING MACHINE n Filed Jul-y' 8, 1933 5 sheets-sheet 1 F/G. /WE/WR@wf/mf. i Z.

. i l L y 4770/? E73 May 7, 1935.

S. R. SHELMIRE KNITTING MACHINE Filed July 8, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 May7, 1935- 1 s. R. sHELMlRE y 2,000,194

KNITTING MACHINE Y Filed July 8, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 May 7 1935 s. R.SHELMIR A 2,000,194

KNITTING MACHINE Filed Juvly 8, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 F7C-5.8. 4l

Ivn/gj e1/mlb@ May 7, 1935. s. R. sHELMlRE 2,000,194

' KNITTING MAcHNE Filed July 8, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 /lil lll

Patented May 7, i935 fsTAras Standard-Trump Bros.

Machine Company,

Laconia, N. H., a corporation of Delaware Application .idly 8, 1933,Serial No. 679,5l1

16 Claims.

This invention relates to a knitting machine and specifically to aknitting machine for making a rotary split foot stocking having the legand instep portions decorated by wrapping.

In forming a split foot by rotary knitting it is desirable to clamp andcut each yarn after the completion of every half course so as to avoidlong transverse floats which would have to be 'Finally removed.Ordinarily this involves no difculty, the clamping and cutting meansbeing located within the needle circle and suitable means being providedfor repeatedly reintroducing the instep and sole yarns to the needles,the last means comprising merely a control for the yarn ilngers,which,when they move into active position, cut their yarns between theneedles since the yarns extend outwardly from the inside clamp andcutter mechanism.

The manipulation of yarns for the production of a rotary split foot withautomatic prevention of iloats is not so simple in a machine which isarranged to' produce embroidery striping by the use of wrap yarns. TheWarp yarns extending from the needles to the wrap ngers form a cagewithin which there cannot be any main yarn handling mechanism.Consequently all of the mechanisms for clamping and cutting the mainyarns and introducing them to the needles must be located outside theneedle circle or at least outside the cage of wrap yarns.

It is the broad object of the present 'invention to provide a knittingmachine for the production of stockings having rotary knit split footportions in which floats of the component yarns arel avoided and at thesame time having designs vformed therein by embroidery striping, whichdesigns extend through the instep portion of the spilt foot.

Other objects of the invention, relating particularly to details ofmechanism whereby the main object may be accomplished, will be apparentfrom the following description read in conjunction with the followingdrawings in which- Fig. l is an elevation, partly in section, showingthe portion of a knitting machine adjacent to the top of the needlecylinder;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section showing the elements associated with theneedle cylinder;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view showing the wrap finger carrier andcontrolling elements for the wrap fingers; q

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view showing the same subject matter;

Fig. 5 is a sectional View showing the main (Ci. {i6-140) yarn fingersand the main clamping and cutting mechanism together with theiractuating devices;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the same;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary detail showing controlling means for one of themain yarn fingers;

Fig. 8 is a horizontal section showing particularly the main clampingand cutting mechanism and the parts associated therewith. y

Fig. 9 is a sectional view showing the relationship of the main yarnhandling mechanism and the auxiliary cutting and clamping mechanism withthe latch ring;

Fig. l0 is a perspective view showing the main yarn handling devices;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view showing in detail the means for introducingyarns to the needles;

Fig. l2 is an elevation showing the auxiliary clamping `and cuttingmechanism;

Fig. 13 is a vertical section through the needle cylinder showing therelationships of a needle, jacks and associated mechanism, and

Fig. 14 is a diagrammatic illustration of a portion of a stocking formedin accordance with the invention.

In the embodiment of the invention which is illustrated there isprovided a needle cylinder 2 provided with the usual vertical slots inwhich are slidably/mounted needles 6 having butts 8 of different lengthin the usual fashion so that differentiation between the needles may bemade in the production of various parts of the stocking. Beneath theneedles are located upper jacks Ill'provided with butts I2. Beneaththese jacks and also within the slots of the needle cylinder are locatedjacks I4 provided with removable butts I6 adapted to be acted upon by`selecting cams l1 to cause the jacks to be rocked about their pivotsindicated at I9. The cams Il serve to rock the lower ends of the jacksI4 inwardly so that they avoid engagement of ledges I8 formed at theirlower ends with a cam provided to lift them for the taking of wrapyarns. A cam 2l serves to rock the jacks in the opposite direction aboutthe pivot formed at I9. The particular selection of needles for theproduction ofr wrapped patterns does not form a part of the presentinvention and is well known, being illustrated in my prior application,Serial No. 623,057, A

filed July 18, 1932. For the purpose of the present case it will besuiiicient to state that selective wrapping is eiected by the selectiveraising of needles at a predetermined point to take yarns from the wrapngers.

The needle cylinder` has secured thereto the usual gear 20 which isdriven through an idler by by suitable mechanism of the usual type toprovide both rotation and reciprocation of the needle cylinder. *v

The frame of the machine includes a platform 24 which supports a bracket26 carrying a shaft 28 upon which the latch ring supporting bracket 30is pivoted, this bracket carrying a latch ring 32. The supportingbracket has pivoted to its forward portion a hook 34 engageable Vwith apin 36 carried by an upstandingfbracket 38 to maintain the latch ring inits lowered position. Manipulation of the hook 34 will release it fromthe pin 36, whereby the latch ring may be raised in the usual manner, asuitable spring being provided to counterbalance its weight and tend tohold it open. 'Ihe usual sinker cap 40 containing th cams forcontrolling the sinkers is provided, the cap having the usualfreedom foroscillatory movement limited by engagement of stopswith the bracket 38.'I'he sinker dial is indicated at 4| and rotates in the usual fashionwith the needle cylinder.

A bracket 42 pivoted on shaft 28 is provided at its forward end with adownwardly extending portion 44 provided with openings through whichproject headed screws designed to thread into the latch ring supportingbracket' 30. A spring 43 counterbalances the weight of the bracket 42 sothat this bracket will tend to remain in its open position, as indicatedin Fig. l, except when held down by the screws. It may, however, beraised together with the latch ring by manipulation bf the latch 34. o

There is Journalled in the' bracket 42 a Wrap yarn finger carrying headindicated at v46 which is driven in unison with the needle cylinder othrough gearing and a splined shaft proovided with universal joints sothat drivingl connection is not interrupted when the bracket 42l israised. Instead of being forced to rotate continuously in fixedrelationship with the needle cylinder, the head 48 may be driven throughmechanism which permits its being shogged relatively to the Vneedlecylinder to produce zigzag wrapped designs.

The head 46 is provided with axially extending slots in which aremounted wrap vfingers 48 provided with projecting bearings which permitthem to be rocked inwardly or outwardly between the needles of theneedle circle when acted upon by cams 52 and '54 which engage buttscarried by the fingers. 'I'he fingers are held in their proper positionsin the'head by means of a spring band 50. The 'ca'ns 62 and 54, serve torock the lower ends of the wrap fingers outwardly through theneedlecircle. A fixed cam 56, which engages the wrap fingers below theirpivots, serves to return them inwardly of the needle circle, thuscompletinga wrapping operation, since the lower ends of the wrap fingersare skewed to .cause them to move outwardly on one side of theirk catedin the present case merely to show the operation of wrapping, which, aswill be seen hereafter, interferes substantially with a simplifiedcontrol of the main yarns to form a 'split foot stocking. C x

The levers 61 indicted in Fig. 2 and referred to above are provided withtubular shafts which are nested with one inside the other. Within theinnermost extends a third shaft 68 subject to control from the main camdrum and carrying at its upper end a lever 10 to which further referencewill be made hereafter. 1

Referring now to Figs. -10, there are shown therein three yarn carryingngers indicated at 12, 14 and 16. 'I'he three of these fingers arejournalled independently upon a fixed shaft 1I. Finger 12 isprovided'lwith a downwardly extending tail portion 80 arranged to beengaged below the lpivotal point of the finger by a lever 82, the lowerend of which is engaged by an upwardly extending arm 84 urged by aspring 86. into engagement with a stop screw 88, this arm 84 beingpivoted at S0 to a sleeve 92 pivoted upon a fixed stud 94. A spring 96urges the arm 84 counter clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 5, to bring itinto position for engagement by a cam 98 carried by the sinker dial 4|and arranged at predetermined intervals during the rotation of theneedle cylinder Yto`force the lever 84 clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 5,

to rock the lever 82 and thereby raise the yarn finger 12 out of action.At certain times it i8 desired to avoid engagement of the arm 84 by thecam 98. To effect this result there is provided a wire |00 connected atone end to the arm 84 and at its other end to the lever v10. By theaction of suitable cams on the main' cam drum theY lever may be rockedto pull the arm I4 forwardly, as viewed in Fig. 5, out of .the path ofthe revolving cam 98.

In addition to the control of the yarn nger 12 by the lever 82 there isan independent control for moving the yarn finger out of action in theform of a lever |02 which engages an extension of the yarn finger 12outwardly beyond its pivot so as to force it out of action irrespectiveof the position of the lever 82. A detent |04, urged downwardly by aspring |83, engages within notches |06 of the lever |02 to yieldinglyhold the latter in alternative positions. A downward extension |08 ofthe lever` |02 is engaged by a forked lever ||0 which is subject to yarnchanging pattern control' to render the"nger 12 in operative at certaintimes. The mechanism for actuating the lever ||0 will not be describedin detail, since it is identical with that disclosed in the patent toHarold E. Houseman, No. 1,161,677'.

The yarn finger 14 is provided with a gear segment ||2 meshing with asegment carried by a lever ||4 generally similar to lever' |02heretofore described and similarly provided with a downward extensionengaged by a forked lever I|8 similar to lever I0 and controlled in thesame' fashion by a mechanism such as that described in the Housemanpatent just referred to.

Yarn finger 18 is provided with a depending -so that the yarns carried ythese fingers are tied together in the same loops in these places. Thespecific operation will be referred to in greater detail hereafter.

The two cams |24 and 3l A spring H26, similar to the spring 63 whichurges the finger l2 normally into active position, is connected to therear end of the linger 'i6 to likewise normally urge it into activeposition. A lever t28, similar to |02, is arranged to engage the finger'|65 to move it to an inactive position, this lever |726 being yieldedlyheld in alternative positions by a spring pressed detent |39 and havinga lower extension 32 engaged by the forked upper end of a lever itilforming one of the series including levers il@ and Ht.

Located adjacent the nger 16 is the fixed blade lt of the main clampingand cutting mechanism. The movable blade cooperating with this fixedblade is illustrated at 38 and is journalled upon a stud 39 beingprovided with a slot |116 within which projects a pin |62 carried by thelever |99 which is urged in a counterclockwise direction,

as viewed in Fig. 8, by springs |66 about its pivot M9 which is in theform of a stud secured to the latch ring supporting bracket 36. Adepending arm |58 of the lever Mii is engageable by an upwardlyextending arm |52 of a lever pivoted at i955 to the frame and providedwith a pin |56 engageable by a collar carried by a slidable plunger i553which is arranged to be moved upwardly at proper times by a cam on themain cam disc of the machine. It will be seen that when the plunger ismoved upwardly the pin |62 is moved downwardly and hence the movableknife |38 is moved to its open position. The main clamping devicesinclude a clamping blade |66 carried by the movable knife blade |38 anda stationary clamping blade |62 which is arranged to extend between thetwo movable blades as indicated in Fig. 10 and is urged yieldinglyagainst the movable blade |38 by adjustment of screw |63, this actionbeing as indicated in the patent to H. E. Houseman, No. 1,942,816, datedJanuary 9, 1934.

The interleaving action thus provided insures a.

positive clamping of the yarn.

, A carrier lever |64, supporting a hook |66, is pivoted on the fixedstud |68 and is provided with a slot H8 within which extends a pin |63carried by a depresser |12 which is pivoted on the xed shaft lt, theconnections being such that the lever it@ is swung to carry-yarn acrossthe needle circle as the 4depresser moves down. The Adepresser |`|2 isprovided with a segment |76 meshing with a cooperating segment carriedby a lever Wl which has a depending extension engageable by a forkedlever |18 similar to those previously indicated at H6, ||6 and |34. Allfour of these form a. single series adapted for control by the mechanismof the Houseman patent. A spring |19 normally urges the lever |14 in acounterclockwise direction so as to raise the active end of thedepresser |12. 1

A slot is provided in the latch ring extending diagonally upwardly asshown towards the position assumed by the eye in the linger 16 when thatnger is raised to its inactive position. The purpose of this slot willbe brought out hereafter.

A lever |82 is pivoted at |84 to the frame and is connected by a link|86 with a lever |88 actuated by cams on the main cam drum of themachine. A spring normally urges the lever |82 in a counterclockwisedirection as viewed in Fig. 2 against the normal tension of the link|86. Secured to the lever |82 is an upwardly extending post |83 on whichis clamped a bracket |90 carrying a pivot pin |92l on which is mounted alever |94 provided with a cam following end |96 arranged to be engagedby cams |98 carried by the sinker dial di, these cams being locatedapproximately apart to effect operation as described hereafter. Theupwardly extending arm of the lever |94 carries an adjustable pad 208..A light spring 202 normally urges this lever in a counterclockwisedirection as viewed in Fig. 12 to take up play although a strongerspring referred to later tends to hold the lever in a clockwise positionso that the follower ,|96 is normally engageable by the cams |98. l

' Journalled on the post |83 isa sleeve 28d which carries a bracket 266carrying the auxiliary clamping and cutting elements. A spring 368 urgesthe sleeve 2M in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in plan to bringan adjustable stop screw 2|2 into engagement with a post 2|@ carried bythe bracket |99. The purpose of this, as will be evident hereafter, isto prevent damage in case of the accidental engagement of a high ridingneedle with the auxiliary clamping and cutting mechanism.

A slide 2id is mounted in the bracket- 29 and is urged to the right asviewed in Fig. 12 by a strong spring 2|@ capable of overcoming theaction of the spring 282. At its forward end the slide 2|@ is providedwith a finger" 2|@ which engages butts 228 carried by movable blades 222and 224| associated with fixed blades 220 and 226. The blade 222 is aclamping blade having an end of L formation so as to hook and engageyarns as hereafter described. The blade 225 is a knife blade cooperatingwith the fixed blade 226 to sever the yarns. During the formation of thehigh splice and splitfoot portions of the stocking the auxiliaryclamping and cutting mechanism just described is actuated twice duringeach revolution of the needle cylinder. At other times it is taken outof action while clamping and holding a yarn by the movement of the lever|82 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2 by which actionthe follower |96 is taken out of the path of the rotating cams |98.

The present machine has many features in common with the machine of myprior application referred to above. It is, for example, designed toform gussets in the toes of stockings and for this purpose is providedwith suitable cams indicated at 238 in Fig. 2. Since, however, theformation of the gusset has no substantial relationship to the presentinvention, the action of the machine in this respect will not bedescribed in detail but reference may be made to said prior applicationfor such features of operation.

The product of the present machine is indicated in Fig. 14. The legportion of the stocking indicated at A is decorated by embroiderystriping as indicated at B, this striping extending from the leg intothe instep. A high splice is pro- 'duced at C by rotary split fabricformation, the

leg yarn being continued into the instep while the sole yarn is used toform the high splice, these yarns being alternately brought into actionand being tied together by a relatively slight overlap as indicated at Fpreferablyon about three needles on each side. Following the formationof the high splice C a yarn change is effected and the heel D is knit.Thereafter the foot portion of the stocking is formed by the same rotarysplit knitting as was previously used to form the high splice. Followingthe formation of the foot the advanced toe is knit after a yarn changeto the heel yarn and then the toe G is formed including the gussetindicated at H.

The operation of the machine to produce this product will now bedescribed, The yarn nger 12 carries the main leg yarn. The yarn nger i4carries the heel yarn used for the knitting'of the heel and toe. Thefinger 16 carries the sole yarn which is usedfor the formation of thehigh splice and sole.

During the formation* of the leg the nger l2 alone is active. In orderto prevent its being vibrated the lever 84 is withdrawn, by the actionof the lever 10, from the path of the cam 98. The finger 14 is heldinactive by the position of the lever H4 under the control of "||6. Theheel yarn extending therefrom is hldby the main clamping mechanismconsisting of the blades i6@ and |62. The sole yarn finger 16 is heldinactive by the action of the lever |28 under the control of |34. Theyarn from this nger lies within the slot |80 and is held by theauxiliary clamping and cutting mechanism which is retracted by thecounterclockwise position of the lever |82. By reasonof this retractedposition the follower |96 is held out of the path of the cams |98. Thelocation of the sole yarn infslot |86 insures against its accidentalengagement by the needles which pass close to the inside of the latchring, being depressed in the stitch drawing operation below the activeposition of the auxiliary clamping and cutting' mechanism. During theformation of the leg both cams 52 and 54v are in active position toproduce embroidery striping both at the front and back of the stocking.

. When the highsplice is to be made, one of the cams actuating the wrapfingers, say 52, is rendered inactive, this cam being the one which actsupon the butts of wrap fingers associated with vthe needles which knitthe heel and soleof the to take wrap yarns by a failure to elevate themare imparted to the yann finger 12 as determined by the action of the'cam 98. The main clamp and cutter still holds the heel yarn carried bythe inactive iinger 14.

During the formation of the high splice portion of the stocking byrotary knitting the two fingers 12 and 16 are alternately brought intovaction, the cams 98 and |24 being so arranged as to produce thisalternate action but, nevertheless,

permit both fingers to feed the same limited number of needles on bothsides of the-stocking to produce the necessary overlap indicated at F inFig. 14. This overlap, as stated previously, is

preferably on about three needles on each side.

- The auxiliary clamping and cuttingmechanism vis operated in timedrelationship' to the movements of the yarn fingers 12 and 16 to cut andclamp andv properly releaselboth of the yarns at the -proper times. Thisaction is effected by a proper disposition of the cams |88 carried `bythe sinker dial. y

Even though the auxiliary clamping and cutting mechanism and also theyarn lingers 12 and 1.6 are substantially entirely outside the needlecirclefalthough the auxiliary clamping and cutting mechanism may extendto some slight degree ^over the needles which. are being drawn' yarnsextending from the wrap fingers to the needles, no diicultyV isexperienced in securing a proper engagement of. the yarns by the needlesdue to the fact that in View of the angular spacing of the auxiliaryclamping and cutting mechanism from both yarn fingers the yarns extendin chordal relationship to the needle circle and are hence readilyengaged.` During the formation of the high splice the needles formingthe front of the stocking are wrapped to form a continuation of thepattern of the leg through the instep.

When the heel is to be formed reciprocatory motion isimparted to theneedle cylinder and the instep needles moved out of action, the soleneedles alone continuing to function in the usual manner producingnarrowed and widened segments to form the heel. A yarn change takesplace 'at thisv time. During this yarn change which involves thebringing of the finger 14 into action and the taking of the finger '12out of action, in order to properly introduce the yarn from the finger14 to the needles, use is made of the yarn placing mechanism indicatedin Fig. 11. The heel yarn extending between the finger 14 and the mainclamping mechanism is engaged by the forward end of the presser |66 andengages Within the hook |66 carried thereby. This hook carries the yarnacross the needle circle to ,Y

a slight extent whichvis insuflicient to permit interference with thecage of Wrap yarns. The depresser |12 simultaneously lowers the portionof the yarn extending from the finger 14 to the hook |66 and therebyinsures its engagement by the proper needle. As the last course of theinstep (prior to the knitting of the flrst heel courseYis being knit bythe yarn from finger 12, lever 84 is withdrawn. Finger 12 is then underthe control of the main yarn changing mechanism, and after heel yarn infinger4 14 has been introduced, the instep yarn is Withdrawn to-passinto the main clamp andcutter. As finger 12 is raised, sole nger 16 isalso elevated by the main yarn changing mechanism to pass into theauxiliary clamp and cutter, after which this clamp and cutter is swungoutward to draw the sole yarn into slot |80 where it will be guardedfrom needles during-heel and toe knitting. Wrap nger controlling cam 54is now rendered inactive in addition to cam 52 which was renderedinactive at the beginning of the high splice. 4The formation of the heelthen takes place in the usual fashion. Y

After the heel is completedA the parts are brought back into thepositions assumed during the formation of the high splice, patterningbeing continued thrdugh the instep and the fingers 12 and 16 beingalternately brought into action as in the formation of the high splice.When the leg yarn finger 12 is initially brought into action the placingmechanism of Fig; 1l is again utilized to insure initial engagement ofthis yarn with the needles.

When the advanced toe: is to be formed yarn changing and operation ofthe parts takes place as at the beginnin of formation of the heel withthe exception tha rotary knitting takes place on a number of coursesbefore the beginning of reciprocatory knitting of the toe.

It will be clear that various changes may be made in the embodiment ofthe invention .with-1V out departing from its scope as defined in thefollowing claims.

What I claim and desire to protect-by Letters Patent is:

l. A knitting machine comprising a circular series of needles ariddevices cooperating therewith for the formation of stitches, saiddevices including wrap fingers arranged to feed wrap yarns to theneedles for the production of designs, means for alternately feedingmain yarns to the needles during the rotary knitting of each courseof asplit portion of fabric, said means being operated to produce a limitedoverlap of the main yarns on each side of the fabric, and means forclamping and cutting the main yarns as they are taken out of actionduring the formation of each course.

A2. A knitting machine comprising a circular series of needles anddevices cooperating therewith for the formation of stitches, saiddevices including wrap fingers arranged to feed wrap yarns to theneedles for the production of designs, the wrap yarns extending at alltimes in substantially straight lines from the wrap fingers to theneedles, means for alternately feeding main yarns to the needles duringthe rotary knitting of each course of a split portion of fabric, saidmeans being operyarns on each side of the fabric, and means for clampingand cutting the main yarns as they are taken out of action during theformation of each course, said last means being located outside the pathof wrap yarns extending from the wrap fingers to the needles.

3. A knitting machine comprising a circular series of needles anddevices cooperating therewith for the formation of stitches, saiddevices including wrap fingers arrangedto feed wrap yarns to the needlesfor the production of designs, means for alternately feeding main yarnsto the needles during the rotary knitting of each course of a splitportion of fabric, said means being operated to produce a limitedoverlap of the main yarns on each side of the fabric, a main clampingand cutting mechanism, and an auxiliary clamping and cutting mechanismfor clamping and cutting the main yarns as they are taken out of actionduring the formation of each course of the split portion of fabric.

4. A knitting machine comprising a circular series of needles anddevices cooperating therewith for the formation of stitches, saiddevices including' wrap fingers arranged to feed wrap yarns to theneedles for the production of designs, the wrap yarns extending at alltimes in substantially straight lines from the wrap fingers to theneedles, means for alternately feeding main yarns to the needles duringthe rotary knitting of each course of a split portion of fabric, saidmeans being operated to produce a limited overlap of the main yarns oneach side of the fabric, a main clamping and cutting mechanism, and anauxiliary clamping and cutting mechanism for clamping and cutting themain yarns as they are taken out of action during the formation of eachcourse of the split portion of fabric, both of vthe clamping and cuttingmechanisms being located outside the path of wrap yarns extending fromthe wrap fingers to the needles.

5. A knitting machine comprising a circular series of needles anddevices cooperating therewith forA the formation of stitches, saiddeviccs including wrap fingers arranged to feedv wrap means foralternately feeding main yarns to the needles during the rotary knittingof each course of a split portion of fabric, saidmeans being operated toproduce a limited overlap of the main yarns on each side of the fabric,a main clamping and cutting mechanism, and an auxiliary clamping andcutting mechanism for clamping and cutting the main yarns as they aretaken out of action during the formation of each course of the splitportion of the fabric, one of the main yarns being also held at certaintimes by the main clamping and cutting mechanism.

6. A knitting machine comprising a circular series of needles anddevices cooperating therewith for the formation of stitches, saiddevices including wrap fingers arranged to feed wrap yarns to theneedles for the production of designs, a pair of yarn feeding fingers,ain outside main clamping and cutting mechanism located between the yarnfeeding fingers, and an outside auxiliary clamping and cutting mechanismlocated beyond both yarn fingers in the. direction of movement of theneedles relative to'the fingers during rotary knitting, the yarn fromone of the fingers being engageable by both clamping and cuttingmechanisms.

7. A knitting machine comprising a circular series of needles anddevices cooperating therewith for the formation of stitches, saiddevices including wrap fingers arranged to feed wrap yarns to theneedles for the production of designs; a pair of yarn feeding fingers,an outside main clamping and cutting mechanism located between the yarnfeeding fingers, an outside auxiliary clamping and cutting mechanismlocated beyond both yarn fingers in the direction of movement of theneedles relative to the fingers during rotary knitting, the yarn fromone of the fingers being engageable by both clamping and cuttingmechanisms, and means for alternately bringing said fingers into actionduring the rotary knitting of each course of a split portion of fabric,said means being operated to produce a limited overlap of the main yarnson each side of the fabric.

8. A knitting machine comprising a circular series of needles anddevices cooperating therewith for the formation of stitches, saiddevices including wrap fingers arranged to feed wrap yarns to theneedles Dfor the production of designs, a pair of yarn.feeding fingers,an outside main clamping and cutting mechanism located between the yarnfeeding fingers, an outside auxiliary clamping and' cutting mechanismlocated beyond both yarn fingers in the direction of movement of theneedles relative to the fingers during rotary knitting, the yarn fromone of 'the fingers being engageable by both clamping and cuttingmechanisms, and means for alternately bringing said fingers into actionduring the ro- `tary knitting of each course of a split portion offabric, said meansK being operated to produce a limited overlap of themain yarns on each side of the fabric, the yarns being clamped and cutby the auxiliary clamping and cutting mechanism during the lastmentioned action.

9. A knitting machine comprising' a circular series of'needles anddevices cooperating-therewith for the formation of stitches, saiddevices including a pair of yarn feeding fingers, an outside'mainclamping and cutting mechanism located between the yarn feeding fingers,and an loutside auxiliary clamping and cutting Vmechanism locatedbeyond. both yarn ngers in the direction of movement of the' needlesrelative to the fingers during rotary knitting, the yarn from one of thefingers being engageable by both clamping and cutting mechanisms.

10. A knitting machine comprising a circular series of needles anddevices cooperating therewith for the formation of stitches, saiddevices including a pair of yarn feeding ngers, an outside main clampingand cutting mechanism located between the yarn feeding fingers, anoutside auxiliary clamping and cutting mechanism located beyond bothyarn fingers in the direction of movement of the needles relative to thefingers during rotary knitting, the yarn from one of the fingers beingengageable by both clamping and cutting mechanisms, and Ameans foralternately bringing said fingers into action during the rotary knittingof each course of a split por-- tion of fabric, said means beingoperated to produce a limited overlap of the main yarns on each side ofthe fabric.

11. A knitting machine comprising a circular series of needles anddevices. cooperating therewithfor the formation of stitches, saiddevices including a pair of yarn feeding fingers,v an outside mainclamping and cutting mechanism located between the yarn feeding fingers,an outside auxiliary clamping and cutting mechanism located beyond bothyarn fingers in the direction of movement of the needles relative to thengers during rotary knitting, the yarn from one of the fingers beingengageable by both clamping and cutting mechanisms, and means foralternately bringing'said fingers into action during the rotary knittingof each course of a split portion of fabric, said means being operatedto produce a limited overlap of the main yarns on each side of thefabric, the yarns being clamped and cut by the auxiliary clamping andcutting mechanism during the last mentioned action.

12. A knitting machine comprising a circular series of needles anddevices cooperating there-' with for the formation of stitches, saiddevices including a yarn feeding finger, a cam movable therewith for theformation of stitches, said devices including a yarn feeding finger, acam movable with the needles, a universally pivoted lever engageable bythe cam and movable thereby in one direction to control vibration of theyarn feeding finger between active and inactive positions, and means formoving the lever at right angles to said direction to a position inwhich it is not engaged by the cam. i,

14. A knitting i' machine comprising a circular series of needles anddevices cooperating therewith for the formation of stitches, saiddevices including a yarn feeding finger, a cam movable with the needles,a universally pivoted le'ver engageable by the cam and movable therebyin one direction to control vibration of the yarn feeding fingersbetween active and inactive positions, means forI moving the lever atright an gles to said direction to a position in which` it is notengaged by the cam, and independent means for rendering the yarn feedingfinger inactive.

15. A knitting machine comprising a circular series of needles anddevices cooperating therewith for the formation of stitches, saiddevices including a pair of yarn feeding fingers, clamping and cuttingmechanism outside? the needle circle, means for alternately bringingsaid fingers into action during the rotary knitting of each course of asplit portion of fabric, said means being operated to produce a limitedoverlap of the main yarns on each side of the fabric, and means foractuating the clamping and cutting mechanism during the last mentionedaction toclamp and cut yarns from both fingers when they are removedfrom action during the formation of each course.

16. A knitting machine comprising a circular series of needles anddevices cooperating therewith for the formation of stitches, saiddevices

